Herbert aims to protect HAFB from possible cuts, closure

Gov. Gary Herbert favors giving the Utah Defense Alliance a financial shot in the arm to defend Hill Air Force Base from possible reductions or closure.
The governor said Thursday that he understands the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission will again study military bases as part of federal budget tightening.
Herbert said he worries as a red state, Utah will be treated unfairly by the Obama administration. Hill needs to “stand up on data and facts, not politics,” he said.
BRAC should consider what’s in the best interest of national defense, the Air Force and taxpayers, he said.
“If those things are considered, I’m no board,” Herbert said.
During the last round of BRAC studies, the state formed the Utah Defense Alliance to support the defense industry. State lawmakers will consider giving it $500,000 this year, a measure Herbert said he supports.